87 Chess Program

Chess in the classroom!
The chess program teaches your children all the rules of chess, while also
imparting concepts such as position assessment, decision making based on
observation and analysis, and strategic multi-step thinking that they can apply
to other disciplines. Emphasis will be placed on the academics of chess, rather
than competitive play.

Second grade learns the
fundamentals: How the pieces move and
capture; what check and checkmate and stalemate are and how they differ from
each other; castling. In short, by the end of second grade everyone
should be able to play a full, legal game of chess. Some basic strategic issues
will be covered.

Third Gradeassumes that the above has been mastered by the
student(s), but a review at the beginning of the year is the first order of
business. Then, they move on to
tactical (attacking) considerations: The Pin, The Double
Attack, Back Rank mate, The Skewer, Removing the Defender, etc. All of
these tactical/attacking ideas will be illustrated with the ultimate goal being
Checkmate. Higher strategic considerations (sound opening play, how to
make a plan in the middlegame) are also on the docket.
PS 87 has won several trophies at various tournaments across the city. To
display these wonderful tokens, we now have a trophy case located in the lobby
(just behind Officer Ayala's desk).